1 Corinthians 11:16 BSB

1 Corinthians 11:16

If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

But if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

KJV

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

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Commentary

4 voices

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible (1832)

But if any man seem to be contentious - Ει δε τις δοκει φιλονεικος ειναι· If any person sets himself up as a wrangler - puts himself forward as a defender of such points, that a woman may pray or teach with her head uncovered, and that a man may, without reproach, have long hair; let him know that we have no such custom as either, nor are they sanctioned by any of the Churches of God, whether among the Jews or the Gentiles.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

And in all things merely indifferent the custom of each place was of sufficient weight to determine prudent and peaceable men. Yet even this cannot overrule a scrupulous conscience, which really doubts whether the thing be indifferent or no. But those who are referred to here by the apostle were contentious, not conscientious, persons.

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

It was the common usage of the churches for women to appear in public assemblies, and join in public worship, veiled; and it was manifestly decent that they should do so.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

The former explanation is best, as the Jews are not referred to in the context: but he often refers to himself and his fellow apostles, by the expression, "we--us" (1Co 4:9, 10). no such custom--as that of women praying uncovered. Not as CHRYSOSTOM, "that of being contentious." The Greek term implies a usage, rather than a mental habit (Joh 18:39).

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

16 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
εἰ	ei	If	G1487 →
δέ	de	now	G1161 →
τις	tis	anyone	G5100 →
δοκεῖ	dokei	is inclined	G1380 →
φιλόνεικος	philoneikos	contentious	G5380 →
εἶναι,	einai	to be,	G1511 →
ἡμεῖς	hēmeis	we ourselves	G3165 →
τοιαύτην	toiautēn	such	G5108 →
συνήθειαν	sunētheian	custom	G4914 →
οὐκ	ouk	no [other]	G3756 →
ἔχομεν	echomen	have	G2192 →
οὐδὲ	oude	nor	G3761 →
αἱ	hai	the	G3588 →
ἐκκλησίαι	ekklēsiai	churches	G1577 →
τοῦ	tou	<the>	G3588 →
θεοῦ.¶	theou	of God.	G2316 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
1 Corinthians 7:17
Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.
leads to
- 1 Corinthians 4:17
  That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach…
- Romans 12:3–8
  For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure…
- 1 Corinthians 7:24
  Brothers, each one should remain in the situation he was in when God called him.
- 1 Corinthians 7:20–21
  Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.
- 1 Corinthians 7:18
  Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised.
Through
1 Thessalonians 2:14
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews,
leads to
- 1 Thessalonians 3:4
  Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.
- Hebrews 10:33–34
  Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated.
- Hebrews 5:7–8
  During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His…

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About 1 Corinthians

The Crucifixion — 'Christ crucified' (1 Cor 2:2) — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

1 Corinthians: the study guide →Read chapter 11 →The featured study →

Continue: 1 Corinthians 11 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 1 Corinthians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 1 Corinthians